Friday, December 26, 2014

Christmas 2014

I hope your Christmas was wonderful and full of family and Jesus. 









I will never forget this Christmas. It was so special. 

C3 Christmas

A few Sunday's ago, our boys were able to sing in front of our church and show off their Christmas songs. This class was Karson's elementary class. He LOVES this class. One of the reasons he is so in love with church and Jesus. 

Below is Kipton and his class which is called "The Ark". This is also the class that I teach every other month and have for 3 years now. It is 3-5 year old children. Such a blessing to teach them each Sunday. 


The boys before church. Our church is dress casual. Sometimes I really agree with it, and sometimes I wonder about it. But, I love our church and won't let one factor slide me away. 


My dad's birthday was also last week (the 21st) and we had a little party for him. Just presents, dinner, and red velvet cake. The boys love helping of course.


My moms tree this year was a snowman tree. You can't see very well from these pictures, but it was really pretty. I wish I would do a tour of her home. I may do that soon.


Our chickens have been laying eggs like crazy. They always do this in December. We only have 10 hens right now, and they are all laying but one. So that's 9 eggs per day. 


I love fresh chicken eggs!

Tuesday, December 23, 2014

Christmas Happenings

December is always so busy, yet so fun. I look forward to the traditions each year. Our elf Bucky found our home again. Just for fun! The boys love finding him each morning. He started his first morning with a North Pole breakfast. Our boys are 5 and 4 this Christmas and I think it's going to be a really fun year. 


I also picked up an elf for my classroom. The kids named him Max. They have also enjoyed finding him in his new spot each morning. 


I will admit that my husband Kevin is way more fun with the elf than me. Normally by 9:00 I'm in bed for the night and always forget to move him. Kevin likes being creative. This night he was shaving. The boys loved it!


We have also painted Christmas ornaments together. This is a tradition that Kevin did with his mom and brother growing up. 


Kiptons preschool class went to a pottery place and painted ornaments together as a class. Then they went to the mall to visit Santa. He had a great time. Every time you ask him what he would like for Christmas he says something completely different. His teacher told us that on this trip, he told Santa he wanted a real live alligator that was grumpy! lol Nothing surprises us with Kipton.


On this day Kipton got to wear his pajamas to preschool for Polar Express day. He really enjoyed that!


My school put on a Christmas program for the Kindergarten and 1st grade. My boys and Kevin came and Kipton found a friend from school. They are cute!


Karson has also had an exciting month. Along with winning a contest from literacy week, he was named Student of the Month for December. The character trait was "self control" which I think it pretty awesome to win. That means that he has shown he can have self-control while at school. All of his years leading up to school, that was one of my biggest worries. Boys tend to not want to sit still, and I'm thankful that his teacher has helped him in this and he is succeeding.

On the day above he was also have his Polar Express day. The students got to wear their pajamas, and they watched the movie. They got to have cookies and hot chocolate after lunch and wear conductor hats as well as punch their tickets just like in the movie.  


Kevin got to have lunch with Karson on Thursday before his Christmas break began. They had Christmas lunch, and the both really enjoyed that time together. Karson was showing his daddy all of his friends at school, and many teachers came up to Kevin and bragged on what a good boy he is. 

December is busy, I hope I don't forget to document all of this. I love looking back on sweet memories. 

Saturday, December 13, 2014

2014 Christmas Decorations

There is something about peeking into other homes, and learning their style and about them. One of my favorite parts of blogging are the many different tour of homes. 

My style of decorating is country. However, it didn't used to be so I have been switching slowly. As you can see my tree is still "fancy" as my husband would say. I would love for it to be all burlap and rustic. I always say that I'm going to hit up the after Christmas sales and get a new theme, but after Christmas I'm so done I want it packed and put away.



The deco mesh was a fun trend. This year I used my star and some picks to give it more height.


On our fireplace, I do have it rustic. I love using my husbands deer antlers to decorate with. I also picked up some pinecones from around our property to make it more full.


Last year I made both of my boys some stockings from burlap material. 




I have wreaths on all of the windows with burlap bows. 


I love the natural/rustic look. It just feels much more "homey".

I am ready for Christmas. We have spent less than we ever have, and worried more about showing our boys to be generous to the less fortunate families in our community.

I love it so much more. So much less stress. 

We are 5 school days away from a 17 day off Christmas break. 

My boys are ready to be home, and I am ready to be home.

I hope you enjoyed a little glimpse into our home in West Virginia. Its not a big home, but its perfect for us. We built it 4 years ago, so its built exactly for our family.

Our Baptism Testimony

Well, it's been an amazing December so far. Last Sunday we had an amazing day of baptism. Here is our story. 
 
Our oldest son is 5 years old. His name is Karson. He is currently in an Elementary age Sunday School class at our church. He LOVES this class. Like, cant wait until the next time LOVES. He just moved into this elementary class in August when he started Kindergarten. Prior to this class he was with me where I teach the 3 and 4 year old class at our church. This new class he moved up to is just loaded with fun and amazing opportunities for kids his age to be filled to the brim with God's love.
(Kevin)
 
For a few weeks now he has been asking about having Jesus in his heart. We have talked about it during our bible readings at night, as well as when we listen to Christian music in the car. He has been full of questions, and I have tried to answer every question the best I can. Sometimes we don't have all the answers, but I have had many nights I have been researching for him. 
 
Then two weeks ago he mentioned being baptized, I mentioned we must pray first. I gave it more time not thinking he was really ready. He is only 5 I kept telling myself. 
 
Then last week he came to my room one evening and said he was ready to say the prayer to be saved. WOW! It caught me off guard. I was thrilled, and beyond ready to pray that prayer with him. 
 
(Me)
We prayed together in my bedroom. I will never forget it. 
 
He soon mentioned he wanted to be baptized. No questions asked, no hesitant in his voice. 
 
The next Wednesday night we talked to our preacher, and he agreed hearing Karson's story that he was ready. 
 
Then comes the fun part. 
 
I was saved in high school, but was never baptized. I have no reason really as to why I wasn't, I think nerves got me. Everytime I watch people being baptized I felt I needed to be doing it also. Just never did. 
 
I went to Kevin one night, and said You know we can't let him do this, when we haven't. He immediately looked at me, and said I have been thinking the same thing!!
So we were all set to be baptized together. 
We all were baptized on Sunday: December 7th, 2014. Kevin went first, then me, and finally Karson. He did it with no hesitant at all. Freezing cold water and all, LOVED every second. Came out of that water just beaming with a smile.
(Karson) 



My heart is happy!!


Image Map

Friday, November 28, 2014

Thanksgiving

We had a good Thanksgiving. It went by way too fast. 

The boys and I have both been off from school this entire week. It's been wonderful. The boys have been sick with strep throat and bad coughs, and then I got it on Tuesday. 
So we have been resting mostly at home all week which is fine with me.

I felt much better by Thursday, but had no energy. But I made my side dishes for moms house and we were on our way. The boys helped put the final touches on the sweet potato casserole before we headed out.

Love these boys!



Kevin is such a trooper. ALWAYS willing to do whatever he needs to. Especially when I'm not feeling well.

He didn't get to hunt as much as he would have liked, but he spent a lot of time with us being cooped up in the house. I think he was stir crazy by the 2nd day :)


Karson Bradley. 5 years old. Has lost his first tooth, and is such a big boy. He is very respectful of others, and has a very caring heart. He has done wonderful adjusting to public school this year, and we couldn't be more proud of him in all aspects of his life.


Kipton Lee. 4 years old. Can you tell he is the family clown? He is always wanting to make people laugh and puts on a show. Sometimes this is funny, but other times we have to remind him it's not the right time. There is a big difference in being a 4 year old boy and a 5 year old boy. A lot of maturing happens in that year. He is a joy, and we are so thankful for him.


I promised myself I would take pictures of all the places we visited, but I didn't. I did take one of Drew and Karson playing Jenga after dinner. I was so tired by the end of the day. 


We still have 3 days at home together. I am cherishing every single second, and hoping I feel 100% by Monday. 

Hope your Thanksgiving was wonderful.

Wednesday, November 26, 2014

Thankful

I am incredibly thankful this year. God has moved BIG time in our home. BEYOND words BIG. 

I am thankful. 

Unbelievably thankful.

Each day he is changing hearts. Changing attitudes. Changing mind sets. 

It's a lot to take in some days. But it's all a blessing.



I hope your Thanksgiving is not just about the food, but instead the heart. 

Monday, November 17, 2014

November

November is turning out to be very eventful! Karson lost his first tooth on the bottom. It had been loose for a while and I was secretly wanting him to loose it at home and not at school so I could see it happen. Nope, lost it at school. :( 


The boys have started November off with a bang. Both have been very sick. I am ready for Thanksgiving Break to rest and recoop. 


The weather has went from hot to winter. We have been inside from the time we get home from school. I think we all take baths by 5:00 and then have dinner. 

We put up our Christmas tree last weekend while we were stuck inside. It was such a special time. The boys just love decorating. I am thankful for this tree. As time goes by I want less fancy and more simple. 


My boys have been silly and send me lots of pictures when daddy picks them up from school. 


Karson won 1st place in Kindergarten for his book cover. He chose a book about baseball that he loves. We are so proud of him and the year he has had so far in kindergarten. 


He is the best big brother. Coaching Kipton through breathing treatments. He is seriously the best boy. Now if we can just get Kipton through the fabulous fours :) 

We get the entire week of thanksgiving off from school. I am so thankful!